As they were ascending the stairs, Mrs. Hawkins called out, "Oh, Mr.
Sawyer, there was a letter came for you. It's up in your room."

It was from Maude. "Let us see what that volatile sister of mine has
to say. Something very important or she wouldn't write." As he opened
the note sheet, he turned to his wife. "Shall I read it aloud?"

"I should love to hear it."

Quincy read:

* * * * * * *

"MY ABSENT RELATIVE: You will be delighted to hear that I have found
Captain Hornaby's missing coat and wallet. I was out in the new boat
when I saw something on the bottom of the pond. You know the water is
as clear as glass. It wasn't very deep and I fished the coat up with
an oar. I gave it to father and he examined the wallet with
apparently great interest. Perhaps he thought there was some money in
it, but there wasn't. There were some visiting cards bearing the name
Col. Arthur Spencer, but nary a red. Father is trying to find out who
the Colonel is. I think father loaned the Captain some money--don't
you? Now that we have a real live boat, no more slippery canoes for
me. I hope you and Alice are having a fine time--of course you will
on your old stamping ground.

"I don't find any fault, because I'm so young and of so little
importance, but it seems funny that nobody ever invited me to visit
Fernborough. Please don't consider this a bid for an invite, for I